Turbine construction



L. H. MoRRlLL TURBINE CONSTRUCTION Patented Feb. l2, 1929.

unirse! STATES PATENT foi-"FICE,

LEWIS H. MORRILL, OF HARVEY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BUDA COMPANY, OF

HARVEY, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TURBINE CONSTRUCTION..

Application filed March 3, 1927. Serial No. 172,291.

This invention relates to turbine constructions and aims to provide a construction wherein the steam chamber is substantially isolated from other parts of the turbine, particularly the governor thereof in order that the steam from said chambermay not cause either deterioration ofV said parts or faulty lubrication thereof.

More specifically it is an object of this invention Vto provide a construction which permits the creation of a partial vacuum in the turbine housing intermediate of the steam chamber and various other parts of said housing desired to be kept ,freev from said steam and condensate therefrom.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a construction of the above type which may be conveniently assembled and economically manufactured andvvhich will afford a maximum of accessibility for inspection, renewal or repair. Y

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent as the same becomes better understood from an examination of the specification and claims in connection With the accompanying drawings Which illustrate a preferred embodiment of said invention.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section with parts in elevation of the turbine end of a turbine generator, such as 1sV shown in connection With my copending application for governor, Serial No. 172,290 filed March 3, 1927.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken at the line 2-2 of` Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail section taken at the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. s

Fig. 4c is aI fragmentary vertical section showing a modification.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section talren at the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings more particularly, numeral 1 represents generally the housing' of the turbine end of a turbine generator set. such as is disclosed in general `in connection with my above copending application. The housing 1 is preferably cast in sections 2, 3 and l1, the section 2 being cast with the left side open, as viewed in Fig. 1.'

llhe left side of the section 2 is closed by the section '3, the right side of Which forms a partition 5, the left side ofthe lattervsection being closed by the section 4l which is in the form of a front cover. The aforementioned sections are suitably secured together and the section 2 is provided at the right thereof with `axially extending Webs 6 and 77 which are secured to the generator housing (not shown). A drive shaft 8 is rotatably mounted with one end extending through an aperture 9 in the Wall of thev section 2. rl`he shaft 8 is supported at one end inr aysuitable manner in the generator housing (not shown) and at the other end in thehousing 1 by a turbine Wheel 18 rigid on said `shaft and having a bearing mountedin said housing 1` through the intermediary of a sleeve 10 surrounding said shaft. The sleeve 10 extends through the aperture 9, isi-rigidly supported therein by means yof ayoke 11 and sleeve 10 and has plenty of clearance With respect to the shaft 8. The yoke 11 is bolted around the edge of the aperture 9 by means of bolts 13. The bearing for the shaft 8 comprises a ball bearing unit 14 including an inner race 15 and an outer race `16, theformer race being held 'on the sleeve 10 between a flange 17 on the inner end thereof and the inner end of the sleeve 12. The bearing unit 14 is protected by being inclosed Within the hub of the turbine Wheel 18 with the inner race stationary7 the outer race being rigidly secured in va suitable recess in the center of said turbine Wheel by means of a tapered cylindrical closure 19 bolted through means of bolts 2O to the side of said Wheel. The closure 19 inchicles a' cylindrical portion 21 Which eX- tends through the aperture 9 and acts to further protect the bearing 14 from any steam or condensation Which might obtain access thereto, as will be hereinafter explained.

Leakage through the partition 5 is prevented by providing the side of the Wheel 18 opposite to the closure 19 With an integral such as also shown in said, application7 is mounted in the housing l and is adapted to be operated through the governor by a lever 27 operatively connected to said governor7 as shown in said copending applica tion. The valve is adapted to deliver' steam to a nozzle 28 which in turn is adapted to directl steam. to the blades 29 ot the turbine Wheel 18 for driving the same.

ln order to keep steam and condensate from parts which are apt to be damaged thereby' a construction is provided which effects a partial vacuiun in the housing 1 between the steam chamber thereof and said parts. The section 8 is provided with an integral circular rib 1l Whicn extends very close to the side ot the Wheel a the section 2 is provided with a similar rib which is coaxial with the ribBl-and extends verjv close to the side of the Wheel 18 opposite to the rib 31. 31 and 32 vthus `forni. together With their respectiveV sections 3 and 2. a toroidally Shaped steam compartment 33 and an inner compara ment 34, the said compartment 33 having in effect a slot 35 on its inner peripheral Wall through Whichthe Wheel 18 extends. rlhe section 3 is shaped to provide a separate compartment 36 which is adapted to receivel any leakage past the stem ot' the valve 26. The compartment- 36 is thus a high pressure lealiage compartment and is provided With an opening 37 inthe housing at. the upper Aend or' said compartment communicating With the exterior Aof said housing and a passage 38 at the lower end of the'compartment coininunicating With the compartment; Bit.

ln the operation of thelturbine the `coinpartment 33 would normally be lilled with steam from the vnozzle 28, but as the Wheel 18 is revolved at a high rate ot' speed the gases in the compartment Stivill through centrifugal action be forced out through the slot 35 into the compartment BS'aga-inst the pressurevo-t' the steam therein. Thus a` partial vacuum Will be created Within the compartment withdrawing moisture, high pressure steam leakage, and gases from the compartment 36 and preventing any leakage of steam pastthe rings 24 intothe governor compartment.` The closure19 will prevent any steam which .may into the compartment 34 when the turbine is started up trom coming in Contact with the hearing 14.

Since'the governor 25 and the bearingllf areboth oiled 'trom the .lett side of the partition'., as .illustrated and described 1n connection with my ccpending application Jor lubrication system, Serial No. 172.290filed Mai-e113. 19227e the a't'oredescribed cons ,ruction? not only prevents moisture from att-acking the comparatively delicate governor mechanism but also prevents such moisture 'from interfering with either the lubrication of said v`governororsaid bearing unit 14.

ln Figs1 l and 5 is shown a modification in The ribs vacuum created in the chamber t3 and may' be revolved rconnailratirely slo'wn l rhsthc turbine ivheelis revolved a circulation will be et up with air flowing in through the opening" 3"? to the compartment 36 and thence through theY passage 3S vto replenish the gases which have been driven through the slotl from the compartment 234-.

l am aware thatinany changesn'iaybe made and details of constructionvariedthronghout a Wide range `without departing tromfthe principles ot 'my invention and l therefore do not propose being limited to the details shown and described.

I claim:

1. The combination' with? turbine f housing9 of drive shaft rotatably mounted therein, a turbine ivhee-l mounted on' said shaft for driving the same,a-governor on saidslrat't spaced from said-Wheel,saidhousing including ank annular chamber inclosing't-he outer periphery ci said Wheelv andi annular battles forming an inner peripheral Wall for said chamber provided'vwith a'slot through which said Wheel extends7 therslot permittinggases topass tl'ierethrough,y an d a partition insaid housing eXtendinjgbetWeen said governor and Wheel, .said chamber being adaptedto receive steam?therein-tor `driving said Wheel, said partition fand said battles also defining an inner chamber of considerable space aroundl thecenter oi thewheel, Wherebj.7 sufficient vacuum maybe built up within said chamber to cause anfappreciablevacuum to continue when said shaft is slowed or uiomentarily stopped.

2. rllhecombinationwith afturbine housing, of a drive` shaft r r talably mounted there in, aturbine Wheelmountedon said shatl for driving the same, anda` governor on said shaft spaced from said Wheel, said housing including an annular chamber inclosing the outer periphery ot said Wheel and annular bullies i'orininganinner peripheral'ivall for the chamloe1 provided With a slot through Whichsaidivheel ente-nels the slot permittl Y gases to pass therethrougln.said chamber heing adapted vto receivestcam therein'tor driving' said Wheehsaid battles and the interior oit' thehousing dctiningra chamberaffording considerable space around the center ol' the Wheel, ivhereby sutlicient vacuum may be built up Within said clunnber to causo an apbe used when the turbine Wheel is adapted to preciable vacuum to continue when said shaft is-sloived or momentarily stopped.

v 3. The combination With a turbine housing, ot a drive shaftrotatably mount-ed there in,y vand a turbine mounted on said shaft ilor driving the same, said housing including an (i ll simular chamber inclosing the `outer periphery of said fwheel, and annular baffles t'orining an inner/peripheral wall `for. the chamber provided with a rslot through which said wheel extends, said slot permittinggases to pass therethrough, said chamber being adapted to receive steam therein-,for driving said wheel, said baffles and the interior of the housing defining an inner' chamber affording considerable space around the center of the wheel, whereby sufficient vacuum may be built up within said chamber to cause an appreciable vacuum to continue when said shaft is slowed or momentarily stopped.

Ll. The combination with a turlfiinehousing, of a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a turbine wheel mounted. on said shaft for driving the same, said housing including an annular chamber inclosing the outer periphery of said wheel and an inner peripheral wall for the chamber provided with a slot through which the web of e. wheel extends, said inner peripheral will forming a second annular chamber near the center of said wheel, said slot permitting gases to pass between said chan'ibers, said housing having an opening therein and a passageleading from said openingto said second chamber.

5. The combination in the turbine end of a turbine generator set of a housing for said end, and a drive shaft supported at one end in said housing, the support therefor including a sleeve surrounding said shaft and secured to said housing in one wall thereof,

a ball bearing having the inner race thereof rigidly secured to the end of said sleeve, a turbine wheel mounted on. said bearing and rigidly secured to said shaft, the outer race of saidbearing being` rigidly secured to said wheel, said housing including a partition on the side of .said wheel opposite said wall, the h ub of said wheel inclosing said bearing and having a portion thereof extending into said partition and another portion extending` into said wall. i

6. The combination inthe turbine end of a turbine generator set of a housing for said end, and a. drive shaft supported at one end in said. housing, the support therefor including a sleeve surrounding said shaft and secured to said housing in one wall thereof, ball bearing having the inner race thereof rigidly secured to the end of said sleeve., a turbine wheel mounted on said bearing and rigidly secured to said shaft, the outer race of said bearing being rigidly secured to said wheel, said housing having' a partition on the side of said wheel opposite said wall, the hub of said wheel inclosing said bearing and having a portion thereof extending into said partition and another portion extending into said wall, said housingincluding a pair of separately formed castings, with said wall integral with one casting and said partition integral with the 'other casting. e

`7. The combination with a turbine housing of a drive shaft rotatablyv mountedtherein, turbine wheel mounted on said shaft for drivingthe sa1ne,`a governor on said shaft spaced from said whe`el,said housing having an annular chamber surrounding said wheel, and a partition in said housing extending between said governor and wheel, said chamber being adapted to receive steam therein for driving said wheel, saidhousing including a pair of separately formed castings, said partition being integral with one of said castings and forming one side of said annular chamber, the wall of said housing opposite said partition being integral with the other of said castings and forming the opposite wall of said chamber.

8. The combination with aturbine housing, of a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a turbine wheel mounted on said shaft for driving the same, said housing` including Yside of said chamber integral with one seotio'n and the other side of said chamber integral with the other.

9. The combination with a turbine housing, of a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a turbine wheel mounted on said shaft for driving the same, said housing including a chamber over the outer periphery of said wheel, said chamber having a restricted portion through which said wheel extends, said chamber being adapted to receive steam therein for driving said wheel, said housing having a passage establishing communication between the exterior of the housing and the interior thereof between said restricted portion and shaft..

10. The combination with a turbine housing, of a turbine shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a turbine wheel mounted on said shaft for driving the same, said housing provided with means communicating with said wheel for creating a partial vacuum in the vicinity of said shaft and a high pressure steam leakage compartment in colnmunicz-ition with said partial vacuu1n.-

ll. The combination with a turbine housing, of a turbine shaftrotatably mounted therein, and a turbine wheel mounted on said shaft for driving the saine, said housing being provided with means comi'nunicating with said wheel for creating a partial vacuum in the vicinity of said shaft, a high gnessure steam leakage compartment in com4 llt;

munication with said partial vacuum and an opening establishing communication between the exterior of the housingand said high pressure steam `leakage Compartment.

' 12. The combination With a turbine housing, of a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein, and a turbine Wheelinountecl on said shaft for driving therein, said housing including means cooperating Withsaicl Wheel for creating apartial vacuum in the vicinity of the shaft and an opening establishing' Communication between the exterior of the housing' and the ypartial Vacuum thus created.

In Witness of the foregoing I aliX my signature.

LEWIS H. MORRILL. 

